ALL THINGS BEHAVIOR

Separation related disorders are some of the most common behavior  disorders in pets; they are estimated to affect at least 14% of dogs in  the United States. These conditions have also been identified in cats.  They can present in a variety of ways. Some pets show distress when a  particular person is gone, others when all people depart, and still  others when there is a barrier between them and others.

The specific causes are still unclear. Dogs are often seen as a more  social species than cats, but both form strong bonds with social group  members. It is proposed that vocalizations such as whining, barking, and  howling are used to reach out to other social group members.

Multiple studies have shown that separation disorders are more common  in dogs and cats without experience being alone, that follow their pet  parents constantly, and those with a change in household routine.  Changes in routine can be minor or major. Some typical situations are  after someone leaves the house more after an extended period at home,  when someone leaves or joins the household, or after the family has  moved. Separation disorders can also arise after something frightening  has happened in the family’s absence, such as a thunderstorm or  fireworks. Older pets are less able to adapt to change and may develop  separation disorders as a result. Additionally, there can be significant  overlap between pets that show distress when alone and those that show  distress during storms or loud noises. Since it isn’t unusual for pets  to have fear of noises as well as separation issues, it is important to  carefully assess for both conditions when evaluating one of them.

The clinical signs of a separation disorder vary from one pet to  another. Vocalization (barking or howling), destruction, urination, and  defecation are the most obvious and also the most commonly reported.  Pets frequently show other clinical signs as well, which may not be  noticed as readily. Some of these other signs include salivation,  whimpering, pacing, and panting. In some pets these signs can be seen  before the family leaves the home, but for others they only occur after  the pet is completely alone. Taking an excessively long time to calm  down when the family returns is another common sign.

Destruction is one of the most commonly reported signs of separation  disorders, and it is easy to see why. Unless your home shares walls with  others, you may not be aware of barking or whining. It is tough to miss  damaged furniture, though.

Chewing and scratching may be focused on exit points, like doors or  windows. In some cases the target is only the door where the family  leaves and returns. Destruction can vary from minor to severe. The  actual damage and cost to repair it is a major concern, but it can also  be dangerous for your pet. Some common injuries include broken nails and  teeth, cuts, and ingestion of furniture or building materials.

If your pet is destructive when you are gone, here are some steps you can take:

1. Take a deep breath. It is normal to be dismayed, frustrated, and  even angry when you come home to damage. Keep in mind that your pet  absolutely has not done this because they are angry, or out of spite.  Pets often seek out items that smell like family members, but this is  not retaliation. Punishing your pet will not make the situation any  better and in fact can make things considerably worse.
2. Get a video camera. Actually seeing what your dog’s body language is  like when they are alone can help figure out whether the reason for the  behavior is distress at being alone, reacting to things outside the  house, or even a housetraining issue. Each of these problems requires a  different treatment approach, so this is invaluable information. It does  not need to be longer than 30 minutes. If you already know that your  pet’s distress is severe, either skip this step or keep your departure  <10 minutes.
3. Providing plenty of activities to keep your pet busy while you are  gone is always a great idea. There are endless possibilities available,  from challenging puzzle toys found online to do-it-yourself options.  Destructive pets can respond well to having something appropriate to  tear up, like a box stuffed with crumpled paper with tiny treats  sprinkled inside. Giving your pet somewhere to focus their energy can be  a game changer.
4. Sometimes pets need to be confined to ensure their safety. If your  pet is already crate trained and really loves their crate, using that  may be a good option. For many pets, however, being confined to a crate  or a room increases their stress levels. Use the camera to see how your  pet tolerates this. If they are distressed or attempt to escape, reach  out for help (see next tip). If your dog enjoys daycare, taking your pet  there when you leave can prevent damage while you work on a treatment  plan.

Speak to your vet. Describe what you are seeing and share any videos  you have when your pet is alone. Depending on your pet’s signs, they can  make recommendations for pheromones, supplements such as Zylkene, or  pharmaceutical options if appropriate. They may recommend a referral to a  veterinary behaviorist, who specializes in these types of problems.

If you know you have a change in your routine coming up, here are some steps you can take to ease the transition for your pet.

• Gradually shift your morning routine to match the new one. This is  an important step when you go back to work after an extended period at  home, for example. A simple way to do this is to start waking up earlier  every couple of days until you reach your new wake up time.
• If you walk your dog, shift the timing to match the upcoming change in routine.
• Start to leave the house for longer periods so they can get used to  being alone again. Even going for a drive is a good start. If your pet  shows significant signs of stress with this change, speak to your vet  before your new routine starts.
• Get in the habit of leaving your pet with something to do. Don’t  underestimate the power of food! A delicious food toy is all it takes  for some pets to switch from concerned about you leaving to wondering  when you will get out of the house!
• Keep your departures and returns home low key. Instead of lavishing  your pet with attention, you want these times to be boring. This helps  teach that departures and returns are no big deal.

Talk to your vet about other options to help your pet adjust.  Products like pheromones or supplements such as Zylkene work best when  started at least a couple of days before the new routine starts. If your  pet has a history of distress when left alone, start working with your  vet right away.

There is little data available on how to prevent the formation of  separation disorders. This is at least in part because the causes are  still unclear. There are probably multiple factors at play.

Veterinary and animal behaviorists do recommend encouraging  independence in your pet. It can be nice to feel needed, but it is  important for your pet to be able to function when you are not present.

When your pet chooses to rest across the room from you, instead of at  your feet, reward them. Tossing very small treats can work well. If  your pet gets too excited about treats, then calm verbal praise can  work. Do the same when your pet chooses to spend time in a different  room than you.

Make alone time fun! Get your pet used to having some alone time  every day. This can be in an enclosed room, their crate, or behind a  baby gate. Give them a delicious stuffed food or puzzle toy to make this  a fun time. You also want to get used to giving them an activity before  you leave the house.

If your pet shows distress when they cannot get to you, or when you  leave the house, speak to your vet about options. The problem is  unlikely to get better on its own.

Adding another pet to the home is rarely successful for reducing or  eliminating separation related behaviors. This is not recommended unless  the family was already hoping to add a furry family member.

1. Ask your vet whether there could be an illness causing your pet’s  change in behavior. They will likely want to do some tests to rule out  common medical conditions.
2. Where can I go to get helpful information about this problem?
3. Is this something that my pet will outgrow or get used to?
4. Discuss your comfort level with giving your pet any behavioral  supplements or pharmaceuticals. What concerns or reservations do you  have?
5. What medication or supplement options are available to help with this problem?
6. Have a conversation about what treatment success might look like for your pet.
7. Ask what you should be doing to track the response over time (ex. keep a behavior journal, collect videos of your pet, etc.)
8. Ask how long it might realistically take to see some improvement with the treatment plan you have chosen.

Understand that treating behavioral problems sometimes involves a  little trial and error to see what works best for each individual pet.  Good communication between you and your veterinarian can significantly  help improve this process for your pet!